Box and handle



March 25, 1958 G. E. STRUBLE BOX AND HANDLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledApril 25. 1956 INVENTOR.

GLENN E. STRUBLE fi "CZ Y ATTORNEYS March 25, 1958 G. E. STRUBLE BOX AND HANDLE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25, 1956 FIG 6 IN VEN TOR.

G LENN E STRUBLE ATTORNEYS March 25, 1958 G. E. STRUBLE BOX AND HANDLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25, 1956 f \i'V////V// FIG-IO INVENTORQ GLEN N E. STRUBLE BY W w M 43 ATTORNEYS New This application relates to boxes, particul-arly'to handle constructions for boxes formed from a unitary sheet of material and including .a folding lid.

The primary object of this invention is :to provide a handle construction for garment boxes and the like which folds 'flat upon the box blankfor storage and which is easily extended to provide a carrying handle .on :the

assembled TbOX. t

Another object of the invention is to provideam-improved handle construction for paperboard boxes and .the like which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture and wherein a backing and reinforcing strip'for one of the t boxlpanels has an integral flexible handle portion with r by mesne United States Patent panel 13 having inwardly extending flaps 1.4 fixed to the side panels 11 and '12, respectively, with .the flaps 14 and the side panels having diagonal fold lines '15 providing for folding of the side and front panels onto the :bottom 10 to collapse the assembled box for storage in the usual manner. At the .edge of bottom 10 opposite from the panel 13 a rear wall panel 18 (Fig. 2) extends upwardly, being connected to bottom panel 10 along a fold line =19.

The lid of the box is arranged to fold over thebot- ,tom of main body section in telescoping relation therewith,-and the lid 'thus includes a top panel 20 connected along a fold-line 21 to rearwall panel 18, and lid side wall panels 22 and 23 extend from top panel 20 to .embrace the side panels 11 and 12 when the lid is .closed. The lid front panel '24 .extends from the front edge of top panel '20 .and includes flaps secured to side panels 22 and-23, respectively, with diagonal fold lines 261extending across flaps 25 and the ends'of the side panels to provide for folding of panels 22, 23 and 24 flat upon the top panel 20.

Side panels 11 and 22, 12 and 23, are integrally con- .nected by flaps '30 having V-shaped notches 32 therein,

an extensible folding connection at one end .thereoftto t :the remainder of. the strip which provides for extension of the handle portion throughan aperture-in the box panel and for =flat foldingof the handle portion for storage and shipping purposes.

nOther objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the;accompany- :ing drawings and therappended claims.

lnthedr-awings: r

:Eig. '1 is a perspective view of a box embodying =the present invention;

Fig. *2 is an enlarged .plan'view of portions of the-:box

blank-to which the backing-strip is applied;

:Fig. 3 is a view .of the backing and reinforcing strip :in fiat form;

Fig. .4 is a partialperspective view of the outer surface 'nfrthevbox panel seen-in Fig. 2, with the aperturedefining flaps showninan openposition;

Fig. ,5 is .a view similar to Fig. 4 showingthe handle in theextended carrying position;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section 'throughthe -end:of the -:b0x rand thetattached backing stripwith the -flaps :and :the

rhandle ,in .=flat 'folded .or retracted position;

-Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. .=6 showing' the handle .portion in :an intermediate position during extension t thereof outwardly ofythe .box;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5, showing the handle in its :fully extended position;

yEig. -9 is a view similar to Fig. .2, with parts of -:the :box wall panel st-ippled to illustrate the application .of adhesive fora modified handle construction in accordance with the invention; v

.Fig. -10 is a-view ofa'rnodified backing and reinforcing strip in flat form; and

Figs. 1.1 and 12.are.sectional views similar to Figs. 7 and .8, showing extension 1, of ,the modified handle construction.

Referringto the drawings, which illustratej preferred embodiments of the present invention, a typical "folding "box construction of the type used to carry garments ,and the like is shown -'er n bodying the handle 'co nstruction of the-present invention. The box includes a bottom or main -bodysectionjihaving a -bottom panel 10 and side .panels 1311 and e12=extending=upwardly therefrom. At the ttrcnt not the :box as wiewedxin Fig- "1 there is a ifront and .diagonal fold lines 33 extending from the apex of notches '32 to the. corners of the panels 10 and 20, .re- .spectively, provide for bellows folding of the flaps 30 as :the lid is closed, and as shown in Fig. 1. The bottom front panel 13 is slit to provide tongues 35, the :opposite sides'of which are receivable within slots '36 in top front panel :24 to lock the lid in .closed position. Also, a suitable notch 37 may be cut in the free edge of front panel 2.4 to facilitate grasping of the .lid for opening thereof. 7 i

Referring to Fig. 2, panel 18 has a central :longitu- .dinally extending =slit .40 therein, and also transverse tgenerally V-shaped slits 42 .extending from opposite ends of slit .40 andhaving short longitudinally extending .por- .tions143 at .opposite'ends thereof. 'Foldxlines extend between adjacent .ends .of these slits to define longitudinally extending flaps 45 and short transverselyextending flaps 46 which are bendable to an open position wherein they define a substantially rectangular aperture in :panel 18, as shown in Fig. .4. A backing and reinforcing strip 50 is adhered to the surface of panel 18 interiorly of the box, with adhesive preferably applied to the stippled areas shown in Fig. 2. Corresponding areas of the strip which adhere to the adhesive .coated parts of panel 18 are cross-hatched inFig. 3.

Thus, one .end 52 of strip 50 is fixed to panel 118, and

the .other end '53 is free from attachment to :thebox.

spacing between the slits 54 being no greater than :the

width of the aperture in panel ;18,.as .defined by the space between the longitudinally extending fold lines .44 therein. A fold line 55 extends transversely of the strip between adjacent ends of slits 54 at the fixed .end 52, and at the other end .of .slits 54-there is a fold line 56 which extends transversely of the entire free end 53 of the strip. The outward .portions 58 of strip 50 between slits 54 and the sides of the strip are preferably adhered over asubstantial part :oftheir length :to panel :18, and fold lines 60 extend across outward portions 58 at a point spaced fromfold line 56 to .provideextendable foldingconnections between the free -end of the handle portion 62 and the remainderof the strip. The

spacing between fold lines 56 andc60p'referablyis such that the length of 'the' outward portions 63 (between these lines .is equal to about one-half the.distanceibetweenthe adjacent -transverse fold eline 44 "in panel -18iand tfold :.line 56 with the strip 1 in Tits .flat folded or retracted 'aPDSitiQH- "53f. 3 Referring to Figs. 4-8, the carrying handle is extended simply by pressing the handle portion 62 against the flaps 45 and 46, causing these flaps to bend outwardly as shown in Fig. "7. ;As handle portion 62 is flexe'd;.the free end 53 of the strip consequently is'drawn toward the central'aperture in panel 18 by the folding over of the extensible Connection between it and the freeend of handle portion 62. The outward strip 'portions 63 are 1 thus folded between the free end 53 and the adjacent outward portions 58, asshown in Fig. 8, 'and the'carrying handle is locked in its extended or carrying position as shown in Figs. 5 and 8 with thefree .end of handle portion 62 below the adjacent end of' theaperture. When the handle is fully extended flaps .45fmay .fold inwardly to their original position, substantiallyclosingthe-aperture in panel 18, and flaps 46 extendalong the ends 'of handle portion 62.

' A modified handle construction accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figs; 912. Fig. 9 shows the same box construction as in Fig. 2, and accordingly like a reference numerals have been applied to the parts, since slits 72 may be curved as shown at 76 toprovide for additional flexibility in .the extendable folding connections between the ends of handle portions 75 and the outward ends of strip 70, which are not attached to the box.

These 'exte'ndable connections. are provided by fold lines 78 extending across the strip at opposite ends of the handle portion and generally tangent to the curved ends 76 of slits 72. Spaced inwardly of these'fold lines 78 are additional transverse fold lines 79 which extend across the outward portions 80 of the strip between slits 72 and the'sides' thereof, and which define outwardly folding portions 82 in the strip between the fold lines 78 and 79. The outward portions 80 are cross-hatched in Fig. 10 to indicate the sections thereof which adhere to the adhesive coated parts of panel 18 in Fig. 9, indicated by the stippling thereon. The dimensions of the parts, particularly the outward folding parts 82 are.

such that when handle portion 75 is pushed against the flaps 45 and 46, as shown in Fig. 11, the extendable folding connections provide for movement of the fold lines 78 to a position substantially directly beneath the transversely extending fold lines 44 of flaps 46. The.

of said strip between .said slits and the sides thereof being secured to the interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, at least one end of said strip being free from attachment to said box, and an integral folding connection between said free end of said strip and the adjacent end of said handle portion providing for retraction ofsaid handle portion to a flat folded position within the box and for extension of said handle portion through the aperture to a carrying position outwardly of the box.

2. In a box having a top and bottom integrally connected through an end 'wall panel thereof, said end wall panel having a central slit extending-longitudinally there of and a plurality of I slits extending laterally of said central slit, the adjacent ends of said slits being joined by fold lines defining therewith flaps movable to provide an aperture in said panel located substantially centrally thereofpa backing strip'for said Well panel having longitudinally extending slits therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween'of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, the outward portions of said strip between said slits and the sides thereof being secured to the'interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, at least one end of said strip being free from attachment to said box, and an integral folding connection between said'free end of said strip and the adjacent'end of said handle portion providing for retraction of said handle portion to a fiat folded position within the box and for extension of said handle portion through the aperture to a carrying position outwardly of the box.

3. In a box having a wall panel with an aperture therein of substantially greater length than width, the combination of a backing strip secured at one end to an interior surface of said panel and extending across said aperture, the other end of said strip being free from attachment to said box, said strip having a pair of slits extending lengthwise therein spaced apart no greater distance than the width of said aperture, said slits terminatingfat one end adjacent the edge of said aperture at said secured one'end of said strip, the length of said slits being greater than the length of said aperture to define relative position of the parts in the extended position i of handle portion 75 are shown in'Fig. 12,1wherein the flaps 45 are folded inwardly to substantiallyclose the aperture in panel 18.

The present invention thus provides a handle construction which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which is easily extended to its carrying position, which is firmly secured to the box, and which is readily adaptable to use with a wide variety of types and sizes of boxes.

While the form of article herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of'the invention, it is to' be understood that the invention. is not. limited to this precise form of article, and that changes maybe made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. In a box having a wall panel with an aperture therein of substantially greater length than width, the

combination of a backing strip for said wall panel hav- 7 ing longitudinally extending slits. therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, the outward portions a flexible handle portion adaptable for extension outwardly of said 'box through said aperture, said handle portion having fold lines at opposite ends thereof between the ends of said slits and the fold line at the end thereof having transverse fold lines therein between said 7 end of said handle in said free end of said strip and the adjacent end of 'saidfaperture providing for folding of the parts of said outer portions between said transverse foldlines and the adjacent end of said handle portion toward said' aperture and providing for flexing of said handle portion and extension'thereof through said aperture.

4. In a box having a wall panel with an aperture therein, handle structure comprising a backingstrip secured at one end to the surface of said wall panel interiorly of the box and extending across said aperture, the other end of said strip being free from attachment to said box, said strip having parallel slits therein extending lengthwise thereof and spaced apart no greater distance than the width of said aperture to define a central handle portion, the ends of said slits at said other end of said in spaced longitudinally from said aforementioned fold line in a direction toward said aperture providing for folding of the parts of said outward portions between said fold lines toward said aperture and for extension of said handle portion outwardly or said box through said aperture.

5. In a box having a wall panel with an aperture therein of substantially greater length than width, the combina tion of a backing strip for said wall panel having longitudinally extending slits therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, the outward portions of said strip between said slits and the sides thereof being secured to the interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, the ends of said strip being free from attachment to said box, and integral folding connections between said ends of said strip and the adjacent ends of said handle portion to a flat folded position within the box and for extension of said handle portion through the aperture to a carrying position outwardly of the box.

6. In a box having a top and bottom integrally connected through an end wall panel thereof, said end wall panel having a central slit extending longitudinally thereof and a plurality of slits extending laterally of said central slit, the adjacent ends of said slits being joined by fold lines defining therewith flaps movable to provide an aperture in said panel located substantially centrally thereof, a backing strip secured at one end to the inner surface of said panel and extending beneath said flaps, said strip having slits therein extending lengthwise thereof beneath said flaps to define a central handle portion, the maximum width between said slits in said strip being no greater than the width of said aperture to provide for extension of said handle portion through said aperture, the maximum length of said handle portion being greater than the length of said aperture to provide for flexing of said handle portion into bowed position outwardly of said end wall panel, and the other end of said backing strip being free from connection with said box and including an extendable folding connection to the remainder of said backing strip providing for shortening the length of said strip within said box to flex said handle portion for extension thereof through said aperture.

7. In a box having a top and bottom integrally connected through an end wall panel thereof, said end wall panel having a central slit extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of slits extending laterally of said central slit, the adjacent ends of said slits being joined by fold lines defining therewith flaps movable to provide an aperture in said panel located substantially centrally thereof, a backing strip for said wall panel having longitudinally extending slits therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, the outward portions of said strip between said slits and the sides thereof being secured to the interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, the ends of said strip being free from attachment to said box, and integral folding connections between the ends of said strip and the ends of said handle portion providing for retraction of said handle portion to a flat folded position within the box and for extension of said handle portion through the aperture to a carrying position outwardly of the box.

8. In a box having a wall panel with an aperture therein of substantially greater length than width, the combination of a backing strip for said wall panel having longitudinally extending slits therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, outward portions of said strip between said slits and the sides thereof being secured to the interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, one end of said handle portion extend ing beyond one end of said aperture and being foldably connected to the remainder of said strip, fold lines in said strip extending from the opposite side edges thereof and intersecting said slits approximately midway between said one end of said handle and said one end of said aperture, the entire said strip including said handle portion being retained within said box in a position of retraction of said handle portion wherein said handle portion and the remainder of said strip are substantially coplanar, and at least a portion of said strip beyond said one end of said handle portion being movable away from said wall panel providing for extension of said handle portion through said aperture to a carrying position outwardly of said box.

9. In a box having a top and bottom integrally connected through an end wall panel thereof, said end wall panel having a first slit extending longitudinally thereof and a plurality of second slits extending laterally of said first slit, the ends of said second slits being joined by fold lines defining therewith at least one flap movable to provide an aperture in said panel, a backing strip for said wall panel having longitudinally extending slits therein defining a flexible handle portion therebetween of a width no greater than the width of said aperture, one end of said handle portion extending beyond the adjacent one end of said aperture, an integral folding connection between said one end of said handle portion and the remainder of said strip, fold lines in said strip extending from opposite sides of said strip at a location intermediate said one end of said aperture and said one end of said handle. portion to intersect with said slits therein, outward portions of said strip between said handle defining slits and the sides thereof being secured to the interior surface of said wall panel on opposite sides of said aperture, and those portions of said strip between said one end of said handle portion and said fold lines in said strip together with a portion of said strip beyond said one end of said handle portion being movable away from the interior surface of said wall panel to provide for extension of said handle portion through said aperture to a carrying position outwardly of said box.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,330,033 Alland Feb. 3, 1920 2,598,945 Taylor June 3, 1952 2,645,406 Robins July 14, 1953 

